Defines substandard housing and summarizes newly derived data from the 1980 Census showing that 7.5% of all rural occupied housing in the Nation was substandard. Points out regional and rural-urban differences. Notes effects on rural housing of poverty rates, percentage of nonwhite households, average household size, growth in county population,…

State guidelines for 1985-86 concerning definitions, methods, and procedures used to diagnose mental retardation were compared to those of 1981-82. Although states varied widely, more states are now either mentioning or specifying IQ, adaptive behavior, and academic achievement criteria. An IQ cutoff of 75 is more common than in 1981-82.…

Presents a study which investigated whether elementary school children could gain significantly in verbal reasoning about the definition of art. Reports that fifth and sixth grade students have the intellectual potential to improve their verbal reasoning if provided an adequate background in art education. (GEA)

The article reviews findings regarding the use of severe discrepancy formulas in the identification of learning disabilities by the Work Group on Measurement Issues in the Assessment of Learning Disabilities. Associated problems such as overreliance on test scores and the exclusion of the teacher in educational decision making are discussed.…

Provides a framework for understanding the concept of validity and how it applies to simulation research. Extant tests of validity are discussed in terms of this framework, and a general schema for testing validity is proposed. (MBR)

Notes problems with the current emphasis on summative evaluation of student progress and argues that a formative approach would be more beneficial for students and teachers, offering both groups greater understanding of the learning taking place. Discusses practicalities of adopting formative evaluation procedures, e.g., teacher training, computer…

Data from empirical research of the early mother-child relationship show that the pedagogical relationship is a special one, connected with social and socio-cultural conditions, but distinguished by its specific characteristics from all other human relations. It is defined as the conceptual framework that makes human development possible. (RM)

Discusses a foreign language pedagogy that facilitates teaching for communication and teaching grammar, which is defined as a system for converting meaning into language. The teacher is advised to do in the classroom only what cannot be done elsewhere. Four instructional tactics are described. (SED)

Definitions are provided, fundamental goals and issues are described, and approaches to quality assurance are reviewed. These topics are oriented in terms of their relationship to dental education and comprehensive care. (MLW)

Reviews arguments for, but questions the validity of, the "information society" and presents a personal view of communication which includes six "laws" (e.g., communication usually fails, except by chance) and a situational model (same messages and communications may create different effects in different communication…

A survey of 349 editors reveals that few academic and professional journals follow recommended criteria for identifying a refereed journal. The effects of reviewing procedures on acceptance rates and their implications for promotion and tenure decisions are discussed. A standard for identifying refereed journals is proposed. (Author/MLW)

The translation of a Russian college level textbook dealing with educational sociology is presented in this and the October issue. The textbook's introduction and first two chapters are included in this issue. The subject matter of educational sociology and the societal functions of education in a socialist society are discussed. (RM)

Presents suggestions for selecting authoring systems based on reviews of over one dozen systems; defines authoring systems; discusses their potential benefits; introduces background evaluation concepts; describes procedures for collecting information about system attributes; and presents a system selection checklist and an authoring system…

Reviews traditional cultural values, learning styles, and problems in identifying ethnic groups in the United States. Recommends alternative techniques and strategies in assessing culturally diverse exceptional children. (Author/CI)

Distinguishes between folk tales and fairy tales and explains how these tales enrich children's lives and help them adjust to growing up. (HOD)